Model Year | 2014 | 2012 | |
Model | BMW 3-Series Gran Turismo | Volkswagen Beetle | |
Engine | turbocharged 3.0L I6 DOHC-4v 300 hp@5800 300 lb-ft@1300 |
turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 200 hp@5100 207 lb-ft@1700 |
|
Transmission | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed manual | |
Drivetrain | AWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Hatch | 2dr Hatch | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 115.0 in | 99.9 in | 15.1 in |
Length | 190.0 in | 168.4 in | 21.6 in |
Width | 72.0 in | 71.2 in | 0.8 in |
Height | 59.4 in | 58.5 in | 0.9 in |
Curb Weight | 4010 lb. | 3042 lb. | 968 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 15.8 gal. | 14.5 gal. | 1.3 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 41.3 in | 39.4 in | 1.9 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.2 in | 55.3 in | -0.1 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.0 in | 41.3 in | 0.7 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 38.3 in | 37.1 in | 1.2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 54.1 in | 49.0 in | 5.1 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 39.2 in | 31.4 in | 7.8 in |
Total Legroom | 81.2 in (over 2 rows) | 72.7 in (over 2 rows) | 8.5 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 18.3 ft3 | 15.4 ft3 | 2.9 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 18.4 ft3 | 15.4 | 3 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 56.5 ft3 | 29.9 ft3 | 26.6 ft3 |
2014 BMW 3-Series Gran Turismo Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2014 | Though the latest 3-Series has a much roomier back seat than its predecessors, many people still find it insufficient for their needs, and step up to a midsize sedan or wagon such as the 5-Series or E-Class. Well, most of the 3-Series Gran Turismo's wheelbase stretch was put towards rear seat legroom, bumping it from 35.0 to 37.9 inches. Though a larger car, the E-Class has nearly four inches less total legroom--barely more than the 3 wagon, in fact. (But with a more comfortably positioned rear seat than the 3 wagon.) What the specs don't tell you is that the 3 GT's rear seat cushion, since it is positioned much higher than that in the wagons, provides better thigh support and a much more open view forward. To top it off, the 3 GT's rear seat back reclines. Here again, though, the E-Class wagon has a trick bonus: a rear-facing third-row seat. Though there's not enough headroom back there for anyone over 5-4, the seat is well-padded. If you want to seat seven in a pinch, the E-Class wagon is your only option with a sedan-like driving position (aside from the Tesla Model S). Update: this review originally stated that the 3GT has much more shoulder room than the regular 3-Series, and about as much as the E-Class. But it seems that the initial specs were inaccurate. The latest specs suggest shoulder room in the 3GT is about the same as that in the regular 3-Series. Its interior does feel significantly roomier, though, so the initial specs could yet provide the more accurate set. see full BMW 3-Series Gran Turismo review |
None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2014 BMW 3-Series Gran Turismo.
2012 Volkswagen Beetle Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
2012 | Back in the 1960s VW entreated Americans to "think small." Lately, though, the German manufacturers cars have been getting bigger and bigger. The latest redesign added over two inches to the car's length (now 168 inches) and over two inches to its width (now a midsize-like 71.2 inches. Compared to the 146-by-66-inch, 2,822-pound Mini and the 140-by-64-inch, 2,434-pound Fiat, the 3,340-pound Beetle TDI convertible is a big, heavy car. As noted earlier, solidity and ride quality benefit from this additional bulk. But rear seat room does not. Sure, the Beetle Convertible's rear seat is more viable than the MINI's, but bars to clear rarely come lower. The Fiat is in the same (adults-in-a-pinch) ballpark. In addition to the space shortage, the VW's rear seat back is uncomfortably upright. see full Volkswagen Beetle review |
2012 Volkswagen Beetle Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2012 | 0 | The rear seat is also surprisingly roomy. My 6'2" father was able to sit comfortably in the back for ~30 min hops around town. see full Volkswagen Beetle review |
2012 Volkswagen Beetle Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 2dr Convertible 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
The back seat, if you could really call it that, leaves a lot to be desired. Maybe another 3 in. That being said it fits a car seat with my 6' frame in the front seat ahead of it, so it gets the job done. Once the top goes down the interior space seems adequate. see full Volkswagen Beetle review |
2012 | 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
I love my Beetle, but the rear seat legspace is not so good. For me its no problem at all, since normally only my wife and i drive the car, but when you normally have to drive with 4 adults, it can become crampy at the back. If the driver and front passenger are not that tall, the rear legspace is quite good. Even the headspace is ok. see full Volkswagen Beetle review |